Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

This passage from Psalm 1, which appears at the conclusion of the daily devotional, Standing Strong Through the Storm, helps us understand what it means to “stand strong” through the trials and tribulations of the life of the Christ-follower.

Paolo Uccello’s depiction of the stoning of Saint Stephen, the first recorded Christian martyr

If the struggles of the persecuted Christians around the world have been weighing on your mind and heart lately, you might be interested in this devotional. Standing Strong Through the Storm is the free daily devotional by Open Doors that highlights true stories about believers who held to their faith even in the face of suffering.

Despite the serious topic of the devotional, Standing Strong Through the Storm is one of the most inspiring devotionals in the Bible Gateway library. These aren’t merely stories of misery and suffering; they’re tales of courage and faith that hold up under fire. It makes for encouraging devotional reading, and it’s also a good way to open your eyes to the persecution that happens around the globe.

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“After a whirlwind passes by, the wicked are no more, but the righteous stand firm forever.” — Proverbs 10:25 (CEB)